To "tube" or not to "tube"

Tennis, the 275 (especially the new IV or V) is an unusual and outstanding tube amp. One, in stereo, will drive a Maggie 1.6 full range quite nicely as long as you are not going to ask it to do rock, opera, or orchestral at high volume. When you want that, you'll have to add another one and change them to monoblocks, however that is still a very cost-effective path to what you're after.

A purchase tip: The Mark IV is being phased out and the Mark V phased in. There is no difference in circuit or sonics. The two differences (if they're important enough to you to buy a new V vs. a used IV) are:

1. The V is lead free so it will comply with the new European import laws.
2. The V has regular five-way speaker cable binding posts, whereas the IV has the old fashioned barrier strips and screws. So if you have spkr. cables with big spades, it takes some tricks to attach them in a workmanlike manner ;--)
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Joeb, good move, treat yourself man, audio is the most loyal lover!

thanks again, nsgarch. i found a dealer in wisconsin and got a good deal on a 275. i may buy a c220 as well.
i am also considering an audionote m2 and a navison mk 3. hopefully one of them will be warm enough.

Tennis, did you get a IV or a V? If a IV, I can send you some pics showing a slick way to hook up fat speaker cables. Either way, I know you'll love the amp. It's actually quieter and more detailed than many top notch SS amps -- which I don't expect you to believe until you hear it (with Telefunken 12AX7's ;--)

Neil
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hi neil, i don't expect to use telefunken 12ax7. i will use mullard 12ax7 or ge 5751 or rca 5751. i hope the amp is not too detailed. i may also try mullard 12at7 or rca 12at7.
hopefully the amp will be come with 6550, not kt88. i have no idea which 6550 tubes are mellower than current tubes. any ideas ? i am purchasing a mark V, new.